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Ryan actively looking for pitching, help at third

Ryan actively looking for pitching, help at third

Twins GM Terry Ryan checks in with MLB Network's Hot Stove to break down the trade of Denard Span and his team's rebuilding process

By Rhett Bollinger
/
MLB.com |

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It was another quiet day for the Twins on the second day of the Winter Meetings on Tuesday, as general manager Terry Ryan has yet to make an impact move to improve the club's starting rotation.

Ryan, though, said he's been active working from his suite at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, talking with both agents and other clubs about acquiring starting-pitching help.

But Ryan couldn't predict whether he'll leave the Winter Meetings on Thursday with any new players on the roster.

"That's always a tough question," Ryan said. "You never know. We could. We may not. So that's difficult. You can't predict that. I didn't know I was going to trade Denard [Span] that particular day either. I got a call saying they freed up the pitcher we were interested in, so we made it. So that's how that happens. It's amazing. I had no idea."

One potential option was crossed off the list Tuesday morning, when Dan Haren agreed to a one-year deal worth $13 million with the Nationals.

The Twins, though, are still being linked to free-agent pitchers Brett Myers, Joe Blanton, Kevin Correia, Francisco Liriano and John Lannan. They also checked in with Shaun Marcum on Tuesday, according to a FOX Sports report.

And Ryan said he's not worried about the way the market is heading, even after Jeremy Guthrie signed a three-year, $25 million deal with the Royals on Nov. 20 and Haren agreed for $13 million Tuesday.

"I never pay too much attention to what the general market mentality might be," Ryan said. "It doesn't matter. All of a sudden, if you think that's the market, we don't. If you have sincere interest on both sides, you'll ultimately settle on something. Usually, the month of November and the week or two prior to Thanksgiving there are some big signs. And that happened again this year. Do I think that's the market? Agents do believe in that, but clubs don't usually. That's usually where most people start, but that's not always the market."

Ryan also added that there are still plenty of pitchers left on the market and that he still has options to improve a rotation that currently only features left-hander Scott Diamond.

"There are going to be guys who sign here in the next day and some guys who will still be available in January," Ryan said. "We know that. There's plenty of pool, there's no doubt."

Aside from adding pitching help, the Twins are also in the market for a third baseman to provide competition for Trevor Plouffe, and Jack Hannahan could be a match.

Hannahan, who played with the Indians the last two seasons, already has an offer from an American League Central club, according to a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. His representatives also met with the Twins on Monday, according to 1500 ESPN.

Hannahan, 32, is a St. Paul, Minn., native and attended the University of Minnesota. He's a career .234/.316/.355 hitter and is regarded as an above-average defender at third.